JORDY SMITH INJURED...AGAIN

Published:July 12, 2015
Views:4,607

"I’ve had the worst year yet, pretty much in the history of years. I just haven’t had a lot of surf time," said Smith. Photo: Alan van Gysen
"My knee has just taken pretty much all the time, right up until the week before J-Bay. That week I had a last MRI and it was confirmed that it was a meniscus tear. So then we said, 'Let’s just go to J-Bay and see how I go and take it from there.' Sure enough, I come to J-Bay and blow my back out." Photo: Alan van Gysen
"I know it’s muscular and has nothing to do with a slipped disc or anything like that. I think it’s a hangover from not surfing for the past two months because of my knee, though, and in that way all of these types of injuries are related to one another in one way or another."
When asked about surfing Round 2, Smith reports, "It’s definitely going to be a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing for me and I’m going to have to feel a lot better than I do now. If I feel like I can grit my teeth and that I can get through a couple of rounds, I’m going to give it a good go, for sure." Photo: Alan van Gysen

Two days ago, Jordy Smith limped into Round 2 of the J-Bay Open with less than 30% mobility in his back. The injury, yet another for Smith, comes at a less-than-opportune time in the season. In fact, the 27-year-old South African, who is currently ranked 18th on the Samsung Galaxy World Championship Tour, believes 2015 has been by far the worst season of his career, in terms of results and luck and injuries.

On a flat, blustery lay day, we spoke to the two-time J-Bay Open champion to find out what the rest of the season holds — and whether he’ll be able to paddle out when R2 resumes.

Surfline: You’ve pretty much notched this season up to a nightmare, right?
Jordy Smith: Yeah, I’ve had the worst year yet, pretty much in the history of years. I just haven’t had a lot of surf time, you know? I got that arm injury at Pipe the end of last year, and then after that I think I had only three weeks of surfing and I went straight into my knee injury. (Smith injured his knee freesurfing in West Oz and was forced to withdraw from both the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro and the Fiji Pro.) My knee has just taken pretty much all the time, right up until the week before J-Bay. That week I had a last MRI and it was confirmed that it was a meniscus tear. So then we said, “Let’s just go to J-Bay and see how I go and take it from there.” Sure enough, I come to J-Bay and blow my back out.

Tell us a bit about this injury?
I think it’s new and not some over-compensation from the knee or anything. (He has a “stiff back” to radically transcribe the medical jargon.) I know it’s muscular and has nothing to do with a slipped disc or anything like that. I think it’s a hangover from not surfing for the past two months because of my knee, though, and in that way all of these types of injuries are related to one another in one way or another.

So what’s the prognosis on your back?
To be honest, I don’t even know at this point. For me I just have to start from the ground and work back up again. I don’t think I can keep forcing these things and try to come back for events. This year has kind of run away from me. It would’ve been nice to start in Fiji and get a little bit of a roll going or something, but I think it’s too late for me at this point and now the priority is more to just get to 100% fitness by the end of the year.

If they run Round 2 tomorrow, will you paddle out?
It’s definitely going to be a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing for me and I’m going to have to feel a lot better than I do now. If I feel like I can grit my teeth and that I can get through a couple of rounds, I’m going to give it a good go, for sure. That competitive fire — that lion — just burns inside me. So I’m just going to wake up and see how it feels. There is some “home” pressure, you know everyone wants you to surf and do well, but you have to listen to your body and yourself, first and foremost. I’m going to get opportunities at J-Bay for the next 10 years. I’d hate to ruin it now and not be able to do the next 10 years, that would really suck.

Mentally, how tough has this been to deal with?
It’s been really tough on the mind. Just one thing after the next. It’s just disappointing and upsetting. You know, it really demotivates you. But these are the types of things that make you stronger. If everything was just smooth sailing throughout your whole career, you’d be like, “Ah, that was kind of boring.” I think you almost need to have the low times to have the good ones. Maybe I have to work a little harder. Maybe I have to try a little harder or think about things a little more. The past two to three months I’ve just kind of been doing a lot of thinking and coming to terms with stuff. I mean, what am I? Am I a World Tour surfer? A freesurfer? You can’t be chasing these good waves and going for huge airs when you’re trying to win a contest the next day. These times teach you a lot about yourself and show you just what you want to look back on in 10 or 15 years’ time.

The J-Bay Open looks set to continue with Round 2 tomorrow, July 13th, where Jordy Smith might take on Adam Melling in Heat 9.

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seahawk 07/13/2015 10:54 AM

People don't unusually associate injury with surfing, at least non surfers don't they think it's water how can you get hurt. I escaped injury for about 45 years, I thought. When I finally started to hurt I was told by the MDs I'd been ripping my body for years ans it was now just showing up and that I should be thankful for all the years I had with no real pain.Real surfing on short boards is real hard on your body, it's the lucky who survive multiple years, there are no supermen!

grumpyolddude 07/13/2015 08:27 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Nickname

Percocet and Indocin. Been dealing with lower back muscle issues for almost 40 years and that's the magic combo. Won't help long term, prescription there is rest and GENTLE stretching. But the drugs will get you out there for round 2 (albeit a little off from the Percocet) if the narcotic isn't banned by WSL. Then steer clear of Chopes.

Leon 07/13/2015 12:04 AM

Il surf jbay if he doesn't . My back is fucked , but surfing that place would be way better then crawling under houses running wires. Shaking my head.

Nathan 07/12/2015 10:08 PM

A little TLC from your smoking hot wife should do the trick Jordy!! Sounds like he's got the right mindset of how he's dealing with his injuries. Tough to go through for anyone. Jordy seems like a great guy, he'll get through this no problem, he is only 28 years old!!

richard block 07/12/2015 08:21 PM

quit bitchen you hunk of meat, a meniscus tear is nothing...in skateboarding we are thankful its not an MCL or ACL tear and even with those injuries we still get down. if its a question of corporate longevity i say F%#k it, with jordy's dough he should use accupuncture and herbs with physical therapy and grind out the rest of the year with reckless abandon and "when" his knee buckles, get the surgery, do the rehab and get back in there...kelly has proven that age is just a number, dont be a teef

dumbold.guru 07/12/2015 08:07 PM

I have so many addictions-u would not believe...so here is my advice which I do not practice...Diet, Diet, Diet...Consult the real guru of diet Mr. Slater. Ran into him may years ago at Mother's HB. He was da kine to me...a old surf fan...Kareem Jabaar was rude to me at the Honolulu airport...contrasting personalities.

Bill Urbany 07/12/2015 07:26 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name

You're an artist, Jordy. Be an artist and stay true to your art form. No need to conform to contest surfing. No need to be judged by criteria made up by a left brain thinking system. Be an artist, be true to yourself!

supertaco 07/12/2015 05:18 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Nickname

Darn it. He's on my Fantasy Surfer team.

cbworks 07/12/2015 05:15 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Nickname

He should check with the local safrican sangoma (witch doctor) to see what curses have been laid on him..... most likely by his rivals. Sangomas take various types of payment....I'm guessing it's aussie dollars

gary cremona 07/12/2015 04:48 PM

hey kid,welcome to my world!Don't get me wrong,I sympathise with any fellow surfer when it comes to injuries or any other bad things that can befall us... but get use to it... I'm 62 and I surf just about every day and I don't get paid to surf... get well ..aloha

Dean 07/12/2015 04:46 PM

Stay focused on the bigger issue, Jordy. I've got you on my fantasy team and I really need a good result at J-Bay.

North shore gorilla. 07/12/2015 03:17 PM

That's what happens when you go for it ... Heal quick come back quick. Brazzies need you.

russell ruiz 07/12/2015 02:47 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name

I am a 50 year Rincon surfer and this Winter I saw Jordy do the second best manuever I have ever seen there, air off the lip 360 off a serious section. (Kelly 360 carve on the peak at Rivermouth on the biggest day of the year, several years ago, the best). He is a big guy pushing the envelope. Some bodies have it, some don't! I am a Jordy fan. Hope for the best!

truth 07/12/2015 02:39 PM

Considering what Jordy can do to any size wave, this is not surprising. What's surprising is how healthy most have stayed.. Today's surfing combines a high amount of torque and compromising positioning. Jordy is still in top 5 or top 10 injury or not. It's a bummer because this event is Jordy's back yard; which he could have a guaranteed qf or semi. I wonder what type of lower back / hamstring weight training / stretching he does. Maybe some muscle imbalance subjected to compression.

Judah Mehler 07/12/2015 02:19 PM

Wish you all the luck mate. Stay strong man...you are world champ material and will be there soon enough. Heal the most important asset...the machine!

JORDY SMITH INJURED...AGAIN

Local hero on what is, what was and what should be at J-Bay

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